The hottest Medicine Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Who Killed Steven Pollock?

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Crime Psychedelics Medicine Research Legacy
  1. Steven Pollock was a pioneering mycologist passionate about the medicinal potential of magic mushrooms.
  2. Pollock's legacy includes revolutionizing magic mushroom cultivation and the legal status of magic truffles.
  3. The mysterious circumstances of Pollock's death and his unorthodox life ventures added layers of controversy and intrigue to his story.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #121

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 113 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Space Quantum AI Medicine Crypto
  1. SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket, showing impressive advancements in reusable spacecraft technology. This progress is critical for potential lunar and Mars missions in the future.
  2. Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, has implemented significant economic reforms that have led to positive results like reducing inflation and achieving a fiscal surplus. His methods may influence similar government efficiency efforts in other countries.
  3. A breakthrough in quantum technology introduced a new type of qubit using mechanical vibrations. This can help improve quantum computing and create advanced technologies for various industries.
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Reader Question - What Do You Think Of Obesity Medicine?

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Weight Fatphobia Ethics Research
  1. The American Board of Obesity Medicine certification is not officially recognized and may have financial ties to the weight loss industry.
  2. Doctors certified in Obesity Medicine may prioritize weight loss over patient health, potentially risking lives to achieve thinness.
  3. Patients, especially those who are fat, need to be cautious and research recommendations from doctors certified in Obesity Medicine to ensure the best interest of their health.

Age of Invention: The Industrial Romantics

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 752 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
💾 History Industrialization Innovation Infrastructure Medicine
  1. Samuel More's passion for industry made him an industrial romantic who found awe in technological advancements.
  2. The West Midlands flourished and grew due to improvements in medicine, iron, ceramics, and new transportation infrastructure like roads, railways, and canals.
  3. Technology and infrastructure created an extraordinary boom in the West Midlands during a time of trade interruption from the American Revolution.

Of Experts And Echo Chambers

Good Reason • 284 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🔬 Science Medicine Research Experts Institutions Beliefs
  1. Experts can be wrong and have been wrong throughout history, like medieval doctors with bloodletting.
  2. Expert communities often become echo chambers, reinforcing shared beliefs and resisting change.
  3. Challenging experts and subjecting beliefs to testing, even within scientific-minded groups, is important to avoid falling into the trap of groupthink.

Eight years in cocaine hell

The Quack Doctor • 39 implied HN points • 03 May 24
💾 History Addiction Medicine Society Treatment Legislation
  1. A Chicago society lady's life took a drastic turn when she tried a patent medicine with cocaine, leading to addiction and a downward spiral.
  2. The memoir 'Eight Years in Cocaine Hell' shed light on the dangers of addictive drugs in patent medicines, sparking discussions and legislative actions.
  3. Despite tragic experiences, recovery is possible - highlighting the importance of addressing substance abuse disorders in society today.

How To Read for Trends

Think Future • 119 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🔬 Science Environment Technology Health Society Medicine
  1. Identifying trends involves looking for patterns over time, both increasing and decreasing, in various aspects of society and industry.
  2. Reading news for trends involves focusing on 'real news' that provides deep insights and understanding of issues, rather than temporary headlines or human interest stories.
  3. Deep-lying trends impact many surface-level changes, with monitoring deep trends providing valuable insights for forecasting the future.

Ultima Genomics...$80 Genome...$0 Genome...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Medicine Research Technology
  1. Ultima Genomics has improved its sequencer, allowing more output per run and lowering costs significantly. This means sequencing the genome will cost around $80 now.
  2. The new technology uses larger features which help boost throughput without needing complex techniques. This makes the process simpler and more efficient.
  3. While these changes are great for users, their long-term impact on the company’s survival is uncertain. It’s important that they remain financially viable to continue providing these benefits.

Learn to Read Science Part 1: The CATIE Trial

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Medicine Study Design Publication Analysis
  1. The CATIE Trial is a significant research study comparing new antipsychotic medicines with older ones in real-world settings and published in high-impact medical journals.
  2. Medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine have high impact factors, which are determined by the number of times articles are cited.
  3. Effectiveness research involves large sample sizes, and the methods section of a research paper provides essential details about the study design and participants.

Sipping the Sacred Brew: One-On-One With a Taita From The Colombian Amazon

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Traditions Healing Cultural Preservation Medicine Global impact
  1. Yagé is deeply rooted in tradition and must be respected and served with knowledge and experience.
  2. The global expansion of ayahuasca brings both benefits and risks, with a potential loss of cultural traditions.
  3. Regulation and proper training are essential to address the rise of fake Taitas and ensure the preservation of the sacred plant medicine.

Nature's Melody: The Healing Harmony of Ayahuasca Icaros

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Healing Shamanism Ceremonies Medicine
  1. Icaros are traditional healing songs used in ayahuasca ceremonies by indigenous tribes in South America. They play a crucial role in guiding the psychedelic journey and can induce intense emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences.
  2. Icaros have diverse purposes, from healing and protection to manipulating outcomes like making someone fall in love or affecting distant events. They are believed to connect individuals with a higher power and strengthen their abilities.
  3. Icaros are learned during isolation periods known as dietas, where individuals engage in deep reflection and communion with sacred plant allies in the Amazon jungle. These practices are essential for shamans and individuals seeking spiritual growth.

Tuesday Links

Niko McCarty • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🔬 Science Biology Medicine Technology Chemistry Research
  1. New AI models are being developed to design DNA sequences and create new antibodies. These advancements could help in understanding genetic activities better.
  2. Researchers have found a clever way to help microbes absorb molecules that usually cannot enter cells by attaching them to compounds that can. This could lead to new methods in biotechnology.
  3. Joining cancer trials might not help patients live longer, according to a study. It's important for patients to consider this when thinking about trial participation.

Mental health in space: don’t get too crazy about space

Space Ambition • 299 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🔬 Science Space Psychology Medicine Technology Health
  1. Space travel is really tough on astronauts' mental health. They deal with social and sensory deprivation, plus the stress of strict schedules and technical tasks, which can lead to serious issues if not managed well.
  2. Preventing mental health problems in space is key. Space agencies carefully select astronauts based on their personalities and provide support like remote check-ins and family care packages to keep morale high.
  3. As space missions get longer and more complex, the need for dedicated mental health support will grow. Future solutions might include AI tools and better station designs to help astronauts cope with mental challenges during missions.

The human x-ray scientists

The Quack Doctor • 9 HN points • 12 Jul 24
💾 History Medicine Fraud Treatment Health Science
  1. Albert and William Grant claimed extraordinary abilities as 'Human X-Ray' scientists, including diagnosing diseases and growing new internal organs.
  2. Despite their claims, the brothers faced scrutiny and criticism after several deaths occurred under their unconventional treatments.
  3. The story sheds light on the desperation of patients seeking hope where traditional medicine offered little to no cure, showcasing the vulnerability and trust of those in the face of incurable diseases.

Herbs, Hexes, & Hallucinogens: Inside the Witches' Apothecary

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History Medicine Mythology
  1. Witches in history were often herbalists, midwives, and women who didn't conform to societal norms, leading to their persecution.
  2. The publication of 'The Malleus Maleficarum' in the 1500s fueled a witch hunt resulting in numerous false accusations and deaths.
  3. Witches' apothecaries contained powerful hallucinogenic and poisonous plants like datura, mandrake, and belladonna, used for medicinal and ritualistic purposes.

BREAKING NEWS: Prof. Dr. Bob Wachter, Deranged UCSF Dept. of Medicine Chair, Finally Caught Covid, Fainted in Shower, Is Now Recovering at Home

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 239 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📰 News Health COVID-19 Medicine Public Health
  1. Prof. Dr. Bob Wachter, a noted figure in Covid Chronicles, caught Covid despite precautions.
  2. Wachter, a double vaccinee, got infected after his last shot and fainted in the shower due to Covid-induced dehydration.
  3. His experience led him to ponder on hospitalizations 'with Covid' versus 'for Covid.'

Infinite prep

Optimism of the will • 98 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Programming Simulation Law Medicine
  1. Infinite prep enables seeking out and exploiting every edge in an activity for professionalization.
  2. AI enhances learning and practice in fields like programming through interactive feedback and personalized examples.
  3. AI supports professionals in various sectors like law and medicine by aiding in training for complex scenarios and interactions.

Arsenic and old faces

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💾 History Beauty Medicine Advertising Chemistry Legislation
  1. Arsenic was once thought to provide a youthful complexion, leading to the trend of advertising arsenic pills and soaps in the 1890s.
  2. Entrepreneurs in the 1890s marketed commercial arsenic products for complexion, openly promoting the poisonous ingredient as a benefit.
  3. Chemists faced legal trouble in the late 1800s for selling arsenic soap that did not actually contain arsenic, signaling a dangerous trend of mislabeling products.

Links in Progress: Snakebites, Pig Hearts, and More

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Medicine Genetics Public Health Pharmaceuticals
  1. An AI tool has been developed to create a new kind of antivenom that can work without refrigeration. This could help save many lives, especially in areas where snakebites are common.
  2. A study showed that a vaccine for Ebola had an 84% effectiveness in preventing the disease in high-risk groups. This is good news for controlling future outbreaks.
  3. New technologies in gene editing and drug development are rapidly evolving, with Chinese companies making significant strides in creating new treatments.

Good Vibrations, Bad Virus

Ladyparts • 259 implied HN points • 06 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Well-being Medicine Surgery
  1. Be cautious of the new Covid strain BA.5, which experts compare to viral meningitis and can lead to hospitalizations and deaths. Stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself.
  2. Understand the potential impacts of BA.5 on the brain, including blood-brain barrier crossing, clot formation, inflammation, and neuronal damage. It's crucial to be aware of these risks for your health.
  3. Seek medical attention promptly if you experience hearing issues due to Covid or other reasons. Consulting a specialist like Dr. Babak Sadoughi can provide effective treatments like steroids and surgical interventions to restore hearing.

When To Use A Colon

Fireside Chat Logs • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Health Medicine Recovery
  1. Preparing for a colonoscopy involves adjusting your diet, avoiding certain foods, and going through a medication prep to flush your system of excess and debris.
  2. During the colonoscopy procedure, you are typically given anesthesia via an IV, experience no pain or discomfort afterward, and might even get full-color photos of the inside of your colon as part of the service.
  3. Despite the mystery and discomfort often associated with colonoscopies, having photographic evidence of your colonoscopy can be gratifying and may even lead to interesting conversation starters.

Science writing update, August 2023 edition

Science Fictions • 229 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🔬 Science Research Medicine Publication Psychology Replication
  1. LK-99, the 'room-temperature superconductor', turned out not to be true despite initial social media hype and extravagant claims.
  2. Transparency in scientific publication processes, like preprints and peer review at eLife, can lead to challenges like circulating false claims.
  3. The approval of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease may not always mean groundbreaking results, highlighting the importance of critically analyzing scientific breakthrough claims.

Sweethearts, Doctors, Teachers…It’s AuToMaTiC

ailogblog • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Medicine Education
  1. OpenAI is focusing on selling non-romantic companionship through their AI models to create more invested relationships with users.
  2. There are debates regarding the effectiveness of AI models in various fields like tutoring and medicine due to their lack of meaningful reciprocity and understanding.
  3. In education, the potential of AI tools lies in augmenting the classroom and extending help to reach students who may not have access to traditional tutoring.